1938 Ford Standard Coupe

[38 coupe]

I find it interesting to compare the various production numbers reported by various sources. One source I trust more than most others is the previously recommended book The Early Ford V8 as Henry Built It. There is a section listing domestic USA production, which is lower than worldwide production. My understanding is these values were arrived at by careful research by the two authors while they were Ford employees.

[mercman from oz]

Sales Figures as quoted in the book " The Early Ford V8 as Henry Built it" - 38coupe

[Model51]

From first hand experience using copies of Ford's official production records titled Assembly Record Types (ART) for 1935 and 1936, it's easy to understand why there are variances in production numbers. Here's a couple of the leading reasons:
1. The print quality of copies of the records range from perfectly legible to illegible. It's easy to start guessing and what a number is, but it is a good way to introduce errors.
2. The records are not always complete. Some sheets are missing parts making a full accounting impossible.
3. Production year and calendar year do not always coincide. For example, domestic 1935 production began in November 1934 and ended in early October 1935. So, does the number of vehicles produced for 1935 align with the January to December 1935 dates or November 1934 to October 1935? Hopefully the latter. Production for 1936 covers 13 months in the USA. There's room for interpretation and confusion.
4. Worldwide production schedules do not necessarily align with domestic production. Sometimes foreign production started 3 to 6 months after production began in the USA. Occasionally production of vehicle types continued in foreign assembly plants for several years beyond the close of domestic production. Again, there's a lot of room for making some assumptions or taking shortcuts.
It took me months of tedious accounting research to tease out the production numbers just for 1935 and 1936 Trucks and even then, data was missing, not readable and incomplete. I did the best of my abilities and put as many caveats in my book on these trucks and only included production numbers I can verify with certainty. I'm hoping the Ford Archives eventually reopens and better records than what I reviewed exist. If not, then the uncertainty will remain.

[mercman from oz]

1938 Ford Standard Coupe that now calls Australia home.
This model body style was never offered for sale in Australia.

[38 coupe]

That's the same car as pictured in posts 42 and 43, yes? It sure is a nice looking car. I'd personally have to paint the wheels black and put blackwall tires on it, but I know that I'm a bit odd.

It is fun to see right had drive versions of cars I'm used to only seeing in left hand drive. I remember seeing a right hand drive 38 standard coupe in Napier in 2017, but somehow the lowered front end reduced the appeal for me.

[mercman from oz]

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New Zealand got these 1938 Ford Standard Coupes like this one in NZ.

[Phil Gillespie]

[ATTACH]526041[/ATTACHDSC06688.jpg

Here is a picture of 38 deluxe coupe trunk area. NZ RHD.
There are 2 round inspection covers, RHS & LHS held in by 3 screws. Whats the purpose of these?
Thanks Phil NZ

[mercman from oz]

Pictures of 38 Deluxe Coupe trunk area. NZ RHD - Phil Gillespie

[38 coupe]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

There are 2 round inspection covers, RHS & LHS held in by 3 screws. Whats the purpose of these?
Thanks Phil NZ

That a new one on me, I'm not familiar with those. Do they line up with body mounts or something?

[30ccpickup]

This 38 was recently posted on the Early Ford V8 Club UK Facebook page.

[38 coupe]

38 Standard coupe picture posted by 30ccpickup.
The dual windshield wipers is interesting on a standard car, not typical in the USA.
Also note the painted windshield with the extra stainless trim.

[mercman from oz]

UK 1938 Ford Standard Coupe - 30ccpickup

[mercman from oz]

Early illustrations of "The Ford V-8 "60" for 1938" showing vehicles lacking the Chrome trim.